Garden Planner, Dec. 29

Dec. 27, 2012

Written by

Stephanie Bruner

Special to the Register

This week

• Evergreen shrubs are usually fairly flexible, so if yours still look a little droopy after last week’s snowstorm, they’ll probably bounce back just fine. In the meantime, tie up evergreen shrubs using nylon stockings or soft twine to keep them from falling apart in the middle during another snowstorm. You don’t have to tie them tightly — just a few loops of twine to keep the branches from splaying open. Next time we have a heavy snow, go out right away and gently brush snow from the branches so they don’t droop. Don’t hit the branches with a stick or broom, as that may cause them to snap.

• If you stored potatoes or apples over the winter, check to see if any have soft spots. Remove those immediately, as they’ll cause nearby produce to rot, as well.

• Check on bulbs or tubers you stored over the winter, too. If they’re looking a little wrinkled, spray them lightly with water. If you find any rotten ones, remove them. You may be able to save tubers with a few small soft spots, though — wipe a sharp kitchen knife with bleach, and cut out the spot. (Wipe with bleach again if you move on to another tuber.) Set it out and let it dry for a few days before you return it to your storage tub.

This month

• Check houseplants for insects. Fungus gnats (small, flying black insects) are usually a sign that you’re watering too frequently. Cut back on watering. If you see flat, grayish patches on stems and sticky residue on leaves, your plant is probably suffering from a scale infestation. You can try rubbing the insects off with a damp cloth, being sure to remove them all, but you risk having them spread to other plants. Unless you’re really fond of the infested plant, throw it away.

Stephanie Bruner is a freelance writer in Des Moines with a degree in horticulture.